What a distinction one combat could make.
Main into 2022, few individuals had been speaking about Tai Tuivasa as a reputable heavyweight contender. He’s simply that goofy Australian with the shoe gimmick. Numerous enjoyable, love seeing him knock out dudes like Greg Hardy. However absolutely the wheels would fall off towards a prime 5 heavyweight like Derrick Lewis.
Nicely, we’re right here to inform you they didn’t. Not solely did Tuivasa beat Lewis at UFC 271 in Houston, Texas. Tai did it enjoying Derrick’ sport, swang and banging towards the cage and ending “The Black Beast” with a monster elbow that left the hometown hero facedown on the canvas. We don’t know precisely the place #11 ranked Tai will find yourself after beating #3 ranked Derrick, however it’s gotta be someplace within the prime 5.
On the post-fight press convention, Tuivasa took his imminent arrival to the highest of the division in stride.
“Brah, to be trustworthy I don’t even know who the f—okay’s within the prime 5,” he stated with amusing. “I don’t even watch combating, breh. Like I stated, I heard there’s the Stipes, the Cyril Ganes and all that up there. However that is my job. I rock up, I put together with my crew, and we f—king punch on.”
Issues obtained a bit bushy for Tuivasa early within the combat when Lewis obtained him down towards the cage and completely pummeled him as he struggled again to his toes.
“We had a little bit of a swang and a bang and we had a f—kin’ little little bit of a wrestle as nicely,” Tuivasa stated. “Blended martial arts, right here we go … I obtained a couple of bumps on the pinnacle, that’s for positive …I didn’t really feel I used to be in an excessive amount of of a hazard. However he’s the knockout king, he’s obtained heavy fingers. He’s an enormous boy. I undoubtedly felt ‘em however I used to be nonetheless within the sport. In order that was candy.”
“Individuals ask me how Derrick hits. I used to be Mark Hunt’s punching bag for a very long time, I believe he skilled me up and perked me up nicely sufficient.”
When requested if knocking out the Knockout King made him the Knockout King, “Bam Bam” demurred.
“He’s obtained the accolades, he’s accomplished it for a few years,” Tuivasa stated. “And like I stated, he’s had his time and I believe that is the passing of the torch. And if I sustain doing what I’m doing and specializing in what I must deal with, I’ll sooner or later take over.”
So far as his fame for being the shoey man slightly than a legit contender goes, Tai didn’t sound too bothered by it.
“I don’t thoughts being the man who drinks p—s out of footwear and this and that,” he stated. “I suppose everybody focuses on all that, however on the finish of the day, I’m knocking the most effective on the planet out. So it’s as much as yous to take it nevertheless that’s.”
“Like I stated, I’ve obtained an ideal crew behind me now. I’ve obtained guys who’ve the most effective curiosity for me, and f—okay, we’re doing alright, what I imply? We’re knocking out the most effective on the planet, bruh. We’re right here.”
